Blood and Body Substance Exposure: Every Health Worker Should Know What to Do
Exposure to blood and body substances remains one of the most serious risks in healthcare environments. Yet many staff are unsure about what steps to take if a needle-stick injury, splash, or skin contact occurs.
To close this knowledge gap, General Practice Training and Consulting offers a free online course: Prevention and Management of Occupational Exposure to Blood and Body Substances.
This course delivers clear, practical training designed for all healthcare team members.
Why Exposure Preparedness Matters
Incidents involving blood or body substances can happen suddenly—often during procedures, cleaning, or waste disposal. Even low-risk situations can generate anxiety and lead to costly overreactions or underreporting.
When staff know exactly what to do, the response is safer, quicker, and more compliant with legal and clinical standards.
What the Course Covers
- Common exposure risks in healthcare—needle-stick injuries, mucous membrane contact, broken skin, and spills
- Prevention strategies—safe handling of sharps, PPE use, and correct disposal
- Step-by-step response procedures—what to do immediately after an exposure event
- When and how to report—including documentation requirements
- Follow-up actions—testing, treatment, and support
All examples are tailored to general practice and primary care settings.
Who Should Complete the Course
- GPs and Practice Nurses, regularly handling needles and clinical equipment
- Reception and Administrative Staff, who may deal with contaminated waste or cleaning
- Medical Students and New Staff, as part of their orientation
- Practice Managers, responsible for workplace safety, training, and compliance
Why It’s Worth Doing
- Helps reduce the risk of infection and psychological harm
- Ensures a fast, appropriate response when incidents occur
- Supports infection control standards and legal obligations
- Promotes staff confidence and preparedness
Course Details
- Free to access
- Online, self-paced format
- Completion time: approx. 30 minutes
- Certificate issued (useful for CPD and workplace induction)
Final Word
Occupational exposure is not just a clinical issue—it’s a workplace safety issue. Whether you’re a clinician, a cleaner, or front desk staff, this course helps ensure you know what to do, when to act, and how to stay safe.
Start the free course now or include it in your clinic’s onboarding pack today.